The Tupaia Initiative
RADM Bishop, S.
INTENT The Tupaia Initiative has been designed to open and chart newly accessible sectors beyond Federation space. These regions contain no existing astrometric data, presenting a unique challenge for Stafleet. The initiative relies on generating the first baseline maps and navigational routes, establishing communications and logistical infrastructure, and preparing for first contact with any encountered civilisations. It further depends on safeguarding Starfleet personnel against unknown hazards, upholding the Prime Directive, and advancing Federation scientific and diplomatic interests. The initiative will take the form of several phases, with each phase containing several operations.
Phase Zero
Phase Zero involves the initial baseline readings of the new sector so that safe entry points can be identified, as well as charting potential hazards and the designation of initial systems of exploration.
OUTCOME By the end of Phase Zero, Starfleet will have transformed a previously unknown region into a recognised Federation frontier. Sensor arrays on the border will be providing early telemetry, whilst probe data will begin to reveal information on the composition of the sectors. With this data, a provisional map will be formed, allowing for the first manned ventures into the sectors in Phase One.
Operation Black Box
INTRODUCTION As there is no data on the sectors, cartography must plot the coordinates and boundaries of the sectors, thus far designated Beta 6740 and Beta 6741. The purpose of this operation is to establish the first boundaries of the uncharted region and to begin the process of transforming an abstract designation into a tangible navigational reality.
PLAN Operations and Cartography will work jointly to mark the sector’s formal coordinates and draft its initial boundaries, creating an official chart designation to anchor subsequent operations. Engineering and Operations teams will then deploy wide-net subspace sensor arrays along the frontier. These arrays will attempt to capture baseline subspace noise, gravimetric currents, and background radiation, which will form the first pieces of data. Initial deployment is expected to be unstable, and the crews must be prepared to resolve malfunctions and anomalies in the field.
IDEAL OUTCOME Operation Black Box will result in the sector being officially defined as a charted “black box” with functioning edge sensors. These installations will provide the first steady trickle of telemetry and transform an empty chart into a recognised, albeit still unexplored, Federation frontier.
Operation Signal Catcher
INTRODUCTION This operation focuses on the deployment of probes into the region to capture primary readings of the area. As there is no prior data in this area, these probes mark the first foray into the new sectors.
PLAN Engineering will need to adapt current probes for long range exploration. Science divisions will need to oversee the launch and telemetry analysis of the probes, while Operations officers will provide support by managing comms stability and recovery. Science and Operations will be tasked with reconstructing fragments into usable data, whilst some retrieval missions on missing probes may be authorised if recovery is possible.
IDEAL OUTCOME The successful return of even a handful of probes will yield valuable telemetry, revealing anomalies of interest, possible habitable zones, or indications of artificial activity. These fragments will constitute the first breakthrough in turning the sector from a void into a region with definable points of interest.
Operation Seacole
INTRODUCTION Exploration of new regions presents unique medical and engineering risks. With data from Operation Signal Catcher, a general hazard protocol must be created to assist crews during the first entries into the region.
PLAN Medical divisions will design and implement broad quarantine and decontamination procedures applicable to any unknown contaminant. Engineering teams will analyse probe hull damage for evidence of corrosive or environmental hazards, while Security officers will conduct hazard-response drills with away teams and crews. These preparations are intended to establish a common defensive posture across the fleet before entry.
IDEAL OUTCOME The successful implementation of this operation will mean that the fleet will be equipped with baseline hazard-response measures, Medical will have quarantine procedures ready for activation, and Engineering will have identified and developed countermeasures for some of the hazards present in the region.
PLANNED OUTCOME The Tupaia Initiative will see the transformation of a completely unknown region of space into a charted Federation frontier. The Initiative will have provided the Federation with new opportunities for scientific advancement, the potential for diplomatic contact with previously unknown civilisations, and the foundations of humanitarian and cultural engagement in line with the Prime Directive.
The 38th Fleet will establish itself as the pathfinder of this region, leaving behind a lasting framework of navigational data, operational infrastructure, and exploratory protocols that future missions can build upon. In doing so, the Initiative will enhance the Federation’s prestige as an agent of discovery, strengthen its position on the galactic frontier, and ensure that exploration of the new sectors proceeds with both safety and responsibility.
OOC TL;DR - These are member-led stories; every event will require participants to make stuff up!
This is the official overarching plan for exploration of the new sectors.
Please read!
Whilst I have outlined the broadest of strokes, please note that there are no admin plans for these sectors. They are completely open for all and any storylines, led by you. By creating new sectors, free from prior political and historical groups, players have the freedom to create whole new stories without any constraints.
The plans here are designed to help facilitate these. These primary plans are very low-level - things that could be done offscreen. However, by opening it up to people, it’s my hope that people who enjoy doing the lower decks stuff can join in. Being low-level, there’s no limit to the number of people who want to join (even if one person wants to do it). Events will mostly be free-form, and will be reliant on the people who are attending to make stuff up.
If interest stalls or events are completed, I will move forward with the next phase.
Any questions or if you want me to run something, please message me. Like I said, I will GM for one person so do not hesitate to let me know.